Staunton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Shenandoah Valley, 1820s
Early United States
Pennsylvania Barn in Virginia
This reconstructed barn is modeled on a three-bay bank barn near Winchester, VA. It is considered to be a variant of the Pennsylvania Barn. This two-story barn is built into a hillside (bank) to allow wagons access to the central threshing floor. Hay and grains are kept in the log pens (bays) on both ends of the upper floor. Livestock is kept on the lower level.
More Land, More Profits,br> The American Revolution provided opportunities for farmers to increase agricultural production. The cleared additional land for cultivation and grew more wheat. Family members worked beside enslaved and free laborers. There is no evidence that the Bowman family kept slaves themselves, but they may have hired enslaved laborers for seasonal work.
Producing for Markets,br> The main export products were wheat and flour. When colonists stopped importing goods from England during the American Revolution, they relied on colonial manufacturing. Linen, leather, iron goods, rope, sailcloth, hats, paper, and distilled liquor were exported to eastern markets.
[Caption:]
Farm Location: The Forrest settlement outside of Timberville in Rockingham County, VA.
Erected by Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia;
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 38° 7.602′ N, 79° 2.703′ W. Marker is in Staunton, Virginia. It can be reached from Frontier Drive north of Barterbrook Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1274 Richmond Rd, Staunton VA 24401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Shenandoah Valley, 1820s (here, next to this marker); Valley of Virginia, 1820s (a few steps from this marker); Garden (a few steps from this marker); Bake Oven (within shouting distance of this marker); Main House (within shouting distance of this marker); Springhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Valley of Virginia, 1850s (within shouting distance of this marker); Schoolhouse, 1840s (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staunton.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
